As a husband or birth partner, you are probably wondering what you can do to comfort and help the laboring woman. As an expectant mom, you’re probably wondering what you might like during your labor! There are far too many things to list for every possible condition, but here are a few ideas to get you started. If the mother is tolerant of you touching her, experiment with different rubs, touches, squeezes and the like.
- Prayer
- Communication: Talk with the woman and find out what she would like at the time – she is the best way to learn how to comfort her! Ask questions (though not during a contraction) to make sure certain things aren’t bothering her
- Are the lights too bright or dim?
- Is the room to hot/cold?
- If lying in bed – Would you like the bed up/down?
- Advocate for her if that is her desire
- Massage
- Touch Relaxation
- Imagery – did she bring a few pictures to look at to help relax her?
- Visualization Relaxation – do you have a tape or a script to read for visualization exercises?
- Hot/Cold washcloths on the forehead/face
- Keeping the hair out of her eyes, put her hair back in a ponytail
- Bring a rolling pin and pad it with a towel, use that to help massage her back.
- Back scratching, lightly scratching the arms and legs can also bring relaxation
- Offer drinks and snacks
- Encourage her, tell her she’s doing a great job
- Encourage her to get up and stay up and active, change position often
- Match her mood – when she becomes serious and quiet, her birth partner(s) should too
- Give the mother undivided attention
- Breathe with her
- Encourage vocalization through the contractions
- Encourage the mother to change position, use a birth ball, take a shower
- Counter pressure
- Hot and cold compresses in areas of tension – neck/shoulders, back, groin
- Bounce and sway on a birth ball, kneel on the floor and lean over the birth ball
- Have your favorite music available
- Change scenery often, walk indoors and out
- Aromatherapy
- Affirmation
- Pelvic Rocking
- Showering
- Show dancing
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 10:30 pm and is filed under Birth, Pregnancy.
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